Paper cassette

ABSTRACT

A cassette for holding a roll of flexible material such as copy paper including a housing and a core on which the material is wound rotatably mounted within the housing. Braking means is provided for exerting a retarding force on the core as it is rotated with respect to the housing. The housing includes a plurality of components and locking means for connecting the components whereby the locking means is destroyed upon disassembly of the components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of our co-pending application Ser. No.304,519, filed Nov. 7, 1972 for "Reader-Printer Apparatus" which is inturn a continuation-in-part of our still earlier application Ser. No.146,114, filed May 24, 1971 for "Microfilm Viewer-Printer", now U.S.Pat. No. 3,730,622, but pending on Nov. 7, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various machines are available on the market today for electrostaticallycopying the visual image on an original document medium onto copy paper.Usually, the various components of these machines are independentlydriven with the operation controlled by the use of switch elementsoperated by the leading edge of the copy paper. Because of thesensitivity required for paper actuated switches, these prior artmachines have been difficult to properly adjust and to maintain.Moreover, because a relatively large number of components required forthese prior art machines, the manufacture thereof has been expensive.Because of the synchronization required to seccessfully copy, theseprior art machines have frequently become out of adjustment resulting inexcessive loss of production and in the necessity of having technicallytrained personnel available to repair same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other problems and disadvantages associated with the prior artare overcome by the invention disclosed herein by providing a machinewhich has a minimum number of components, operates with a minimumrequired amount of adjustment, and is efficient in operation. Thus, notonly is the manufacturing cost minimized, but also the operating andmaintenance cost. The machine provides a single endless member whichboth drives the various components of the machine and carries thecontrol elements for controlling the operation of the machineindependently of the position of the copy paper.

Generally, the apparatus of the invention includes a supply of copypaper, an image forming means, a conveyor means for moving the copypaper through the image forming means, and a combination driving andcontrol means for operating the image forming means and conveyor means.The image forming means includes charging means for imposing anelectrostatic charge on the copy paper, projection means for projectingthe image from the original document medium onto the copy paper toexpose same at an exposure station, and developing means for applyingtoner particles to the exposed copy paper at a developing station todevelop the latent electrostatic image on the copy paper into a visualimage. In the microfilm reader-printer embodiment of the invention, ashutter-mirror assembly is provided for selectively projecting thevisual image from the original document medium onto a viewing screenwhile at the same time preventing the image from being projected to theexposure station.

The conveyor means includes a paper feed means for feeding the copypaper from the supply of copy paper in single sheet fashion toward theimage forming means, exposure conveyor means for receiving the copypaper from the paper feed means and positioning same at the exposurestation, and discharge means for receiving the exposed and developedcopy paper after passage through the developing station.

A paper cutter mechanism is provided for cutting the copy paper tolength after a prescribed amount of the paper has been fed by the paperfeed means. The mechanism has a cocked position in which it is springurged toward a cutting position through which the cutter moves uponrelease from the cocked position to cut the paper.

The endless member is flexible and drivingly connects a main drive motorto the exposure conveyor means and discharge means to drive same whenthe main drive motor is operated. A secondary flexible engaging memberof a prescribed length is carried by the endless member at a prescribedlocation thereon to selectively drivingly engage the paper feed meansfor a prescribed period of time during each print cycle to feed aprescribed length of paper toward the image forming means. The controlmeans includes a plurality of control switches spaced along theprescribed path of the endless member and a plurality of switchactuating members carried by the endless member at prescribed locationsthereon to operatively engage only a corresponding one of the controlswitches to operate same. An additional operating member is also carriedby the endless member for moving the paper cutter mechanism to itscocked position, and a release operating member is carried by theendless member for releasing the cutter mechanism to cut the copy paperto length. In microfilm reader-printer, the operating member used tocock the cutter mechanism is also used to transfer the shutter-mirrorassembly from its viewing position to its printing position and thenback to its viewing position during a printing cycle.

The supply of copy paper is in the form of a roll which is carried in apaper cassette. The roll of copy paper is carried on a support tuberotatably mounted in a housing. A braking means is carried by thehousing for internally braking the support tube. The housing is designedfor a single use which lends itself to assembly with the roll of copypaper therein but is destroyed upon disassembly to prevent reloadingsame.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will becomemore clearly understood upon consideration of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings wherein like characters ofreference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views andin which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the invention embodiedin a microfilm reader-printer for use with microfiche;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the machine of FIG. 1 takenfrom the rear of the machine to show the cabinet construction;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the drive side of the machine ofFIG. 1 with the side panel removed to show the combination driving andcontrol means;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the machine of FIG. 1showing the internal construction thereof;

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the duct side of themachine with the side panel ommitted for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the paper cassette ofthe invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the maincylinder of the paper cassette;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing the end capand main cylinder of the paper cassette ready for assembly;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the end cap and main cylinderduring assembly;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the end cap and maincylinder assembled;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the end cap taken alongline 11--11 in FIG. 6 showing the brake;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4showing the construction of the light source assembly and the projectionunit;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the light source assembly;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the projection unit;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lens unit taken alongline 15--15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevational view of the fan unit showing theinlet and outlet thereof;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged elevational view of the cutter drive means in thereleased position;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged elevational view of the cutter drive means in thecocked position;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the cutter drive means in the cocked position;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view through knife assembly of the cuttermeans taken longitudinally of the machine;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view showing the secondary chain of the driveand control means;

FIG. 22 is a view taken along line 22--22 in FIG. 3 with the various camand switch members supperimposed thereon;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the main drivechain;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view taken along line 24--24 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the fiche carrier assembly;

FIG. 26 is an electrical schematic diagram for the machine;

FIG. 27 is an elevational view of the polarity switch with portionsthereof removed to show the interior construction thereof;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28--28 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the machine showing its usewith roll microfilm;

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the main drive chain showing a time delaymechanism;

FIG. 31 is a view taken along line 31--31 in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the shutter-mirror assembly;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of the drive arm of the shutter-mirrorassembly;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 34--34 in FIG. 33;and

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 35--35 in FIG. 33.

These figures and the following detailed description disclose specificembodiments of the invention, however, the inventive concept is notlimited thereto since it may be embodied in other forms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, especially FIG. 1, it will be seen that theinvention is disclosed herein as a microfilm reader-printer, however, itis to be understood that the inventive concept may be embodied in othermachines such as a copying machine. The machine 10 disclosed in FIG. 1is designed for use in copying the visual image from a microfiche. Asbest seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the machine 10 includes generally acabinet 11, a supply of copy paper 12, an image forming means 14, aconveyor means 15, a cutter means 16, a carrier assembly 18 and a driveand control means 19. Generally, the machine is operated by placing apiece of microfiche in the carriage assembly 18, the controls of theimage forming means operated to project the visual image from themicrofiche to a viewing position for viewing a selected portion of themicrofiche and then to an exposure position to print the selectedportion of the microfiche shown in the viewing position onto a piece ofcopy paper from the supply of copy paper 12.

CABINET

The cabinet 11 includes generally a frame 20 with a cover assembly 21enclosing same as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The frame 20 includes arectangular base 22 and a pair of upstanding, spaced apart side frames24 attached to and extending upwardly from opposite sides of base 22 andconnected by cross braces 23. Each of the side frames 24 includescentral upstanding rectangular support plate 25 having outwardlydirected front and rear flanges 26 and top flange 28, all of which areflush with a vertical plane at the side edges of the base 22 at theirouter ends. An outwardly extending mounting flange 29 is provided alongthe lower edge of plate 25 to be used in attaching the side frame to thebase. Thus, an outwardly opening recess 30 is provided by each sideframe 24 with a space 31 between the side frames 24. The near side ofthe machine as seen in FIG. 1 is the duct side and the far side is thedrive side.

The cover 21 includes a bottom channel 32 on opposite sides of base 22with top channels 34 along the outer edges of each top flange 28 abovechannels 32. A side panel 35 is slidably carried between each of theopposed bottom and top channels 32 and 34 which has a forwardlyprojecting front edge 36 toward its upper end to close the recesses 30in the sides of the machine. A top panel 38 is carried between the topchannels 34 to close the upper forward portion of space 31. A back panel39 is mounted on the rear flanges 26 to close the lower back portion ofthe space 31. A cassette cover 40 which has an inverted L-shape iscarried between the top channels 34 to close both the upper rear portionof space 31 and upper back portion of space 31 as will become moreapparent. A paper exit cover 41 as bes seen in FIG. 1 is carried by thebottom channels 32 to cover the lower front portion of space 31 and isprovided with a paper exit opening 42 as will become apparent. The sideframes 24 are provided with aligned, forwardly opening cutouts 44 bestseen in FIG. 3 as will become more apparent.

A control panel 45 is carried between the front flanges 26 of sideframes 24 to close part of the front portion of space 31 immediatelyabove cutouts 44 as best seen in FIGS. 1, 4. The upper edge of panel 45is provided with an upwardly opening support channel 46, which, incombination with a downwardly opening channel 48 carried by the upperends of front flanges 26, removably mount a substantially square viewingscreen 49. The viewing screen 49 is of known construction as will becomemore apparent.

SUPPLY OF COPY PAPER

The supply of copy paper 12, as seen generally in FIGS. 2 and 4 and morespecifically in FIGS. 6-11, includes generally a roll 50 of copy papermounted in a cassette 51. The cassette 51 includes a housing 52, asupport tube 54 rotatably mounted in the housing 52 and on which iscarried the roll 50 of copy paper, and a brake 55 carried by housing 52and operatively engaging the support tube 54 to retard its movement.

The housing 52 is made in two pieces, a main cylinder 56 and an end cap58. The housing 52 is assembled with the roll 50 and support tube 54therein and is designed so that the housing 52 will be destroyed ifdisassembly is attempted to reload same. This makes the cassette 51 asingle use item. The main cylinder 56 includes a tubular side wall 59integral with a circular end wall 60 closing one end thereof. A paperexit slot 61 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 7 is defined along the length of thewall 59 parallel to its centerline CL as will become more apparent. Acentrally located annular bearing flange 62 is carried on the inside ofend wall 60 and projects into the paper cavity defined by walls 59 and60 with a beveled inner end (FIG. 6) as will become more apparent. Oneend of the support tube 54 is received over bearing flange 62 to berotatably carried thereon. Support lugs 64 are provided on diametricallyopposed sides of the outside of end wall 60 for mounting the cassette 51as will become more apparent.

The opposite end of side wall 59 is beveled along its outside edge asindicated at 65 in FIGS. 7-10 for a prescribed distance and down thelength of wall 59. A notch 66 is also provided in the end of said wall59 as best seen in FIG. 7 to locate the end cap 58 as will be explained.A plurality of locks 68 project out from the beveled surface 65 on sidewall 59, one of which is shown in detail in FIGS. 8-10. While three suchlocks 68 are provided for the embodiment illustrated, the number may bevaried without departing from the scope of the invention. Each lock 68is formed integral with the side wall 59 and defines an outwardlytapering surface 69 and a radially extending locking surface 70. Thesurface 69 defines an angle α (FIG. 8) with the centerline CL of maincylinder 56 and tapers inwardly toward the free end of side wall 59. Thelocking surface 70 is spaced from the end of wall 59 the distance a andis perpendicular to centerline CL. The inside of the free end of wall 59directly under each of the locks 68 is undercut as indicated at 71 toprovide a thinned portion 72 under each lock 68 of a prescribedthickness b at that point directly under the locking surface 70. Thisallows the locks 68 to deflect inwardly while the housing 52 is beingassembled but fractures if disassembly is attempted as will become moreapparent.

The end cap 58 closes the open end of the main cylinder 56. It includesa circular central plate 74 of approximately the same diameter as theend wall 60. An annular abuttment 75 is provided around thecircumference of plate 74 and projects over the outside surface 76 ofthe plate 74. The abuttment 75 defines an annular groove 78 thereinwhich opens on the inside surface 79 of plate 74. The groove 78 has amean diameter equal to that of the side wall 59 of main cylinder 56 andhas a width substantially equal to the thickness of side wall 59 so thatthe beveled end 65 of side wall 59 can be slidably received in groove 78as will become more apparent. An annular support lip 80 integral withabuttment 74 projects over the inside surface 79 of plate 74 with itsinside surface forming a continuation of the outside edge of groove 78.

A plurality of retainers 81 (FIGS. 8-11) are provided on the insidesurface of lip 80 which correspond in number and location to locks 68 onthe main cylinder 56 and co-operate therewith to hold the cap 58 ontocylinder 56. Each retainer 81 includes an inwardly beveled leadingsurface 82 and a radially extending trailing surface 84 perpendicular tothe centerline CL of cap 58 and cylinder 56. The surface 84 is spacedfrom the bottom of the groove 78 the distance a (FIG. 8) so that whenthe end of side wall 59 is fully seated in the groove 78, the surface 84of retainer 81 engages the locking surface 70 of lock 68 to hold thecylinder 56 and cap 58 together as seen in FIG. 10. It will also benoted that the locks 68 and retainers 81 are located so that theprojecting end 85 of side wall 59 has just entered the groove 78 whenthe tapering surface 69 of lock 68 first engages the beveled leadingsurface 82 of retainer 81 as best seen in FIG. 9. A reinforcing boss 86is provided at each retainer 81 to strengthen the lip 80 thereat. A slot88 is formed through boss 86, abuttment 75, and partly through lip 80 asan incident to the molding operation when retainers 81 are formed. Alocator 89 is formed across groove 78 which cooperates with the notch 66to locate the retainers 81 in alignment with locks 68.

As the main cylinder 56 and end cap 58 are forced together, the taperingsurface 69 of locks 68 and beveled surface 82 of retainers 81 createradially inwardly directed forces on the thinned portion 72 of side wall59 causing the locks 68 to be deflected inwardly and allow theprojecting end 85 of side wall 59 to fully seat in groove 78 whereuponthe resilience of side wall 59 causes the locks 68 to spring back intotheir initial position. At this point the locking surface 70 of lock 68is engaged by the trailing surface 84 of retainer 81 to hold the end cap58 in position. If disassembly is attempted, the surfaces 70 and 84exert substantially longitudinally directed forces on side wall 59causing the thinned portions 72 to break away with locks 68. Thisprevents reuse of main cylinder 56.

A centrally located bearing flange 90 is provided on the inside surfaceof plate 74 of cap 58 which has a cylindrical portion 91 correspondingin diameter to that of bearing flange 62 to rotatably mount the supporttube 54 within housing 52 in conjunction with flange 62. The flange 90also includes an inwardly tapering brake mounting wall 92 on the leadingend of cylindrical portion 91. The wall 92 mounts the brake 55 thereinthrough three cutouts 94 equally spaced about the wall 92 at itsjuncture with the cylindrical portion 91.

The brake 55 is a resilient member 95 formed from wire stock which has aconvex arcuate central bearing portion 96 and a pair of convex arcuateside bearing portions 98 with each of the side bearing portions 98 beingconnected to the central bearing portion 96 through a concave arcuatecamming portion 99 as best seen in FIG. 11. Camming prongs 100 areprovided on those ends of the side bearing portions 98 opposite thoseends connected to the central bearing portion 96 which face each otherbut are not connected. The side portions 98 can be forced toward eachother through the spring action of the central portion 96 which urgesthe side portions 98 apart toward their normal positions as shown bydashed lines in FIG. 11. Thus, to insert the member 95 through thecutouts 94, the side portions 98 are forced toward each other, thecentral portion 96 inserted through one of the cutouts, and then theside portions 98 released so that they project through the other cutoutswhen the member 95 springs back. When the tube 54 is on the cylindricalportion 91 of flange 62, the outer tips of the portions 96 and 98 engagethe inside thereof under the spring action of member 95. The sides 101of the cutouts 94 prevents the member 95 from rotating as the tube 54 isrotated. This exerts a retarding force of tube 54 as it is rotated.

The tube 54 is illustrated as made of fiberboard, however, othermaterials may be used. The tube 54 is as long as the cavity in thehousing 52 and is rotatably supported between the cylindrical portion offlange 90 and flange 62 concentrically within the side wall 59. The roll50 is made up of layers of a single web 102 of copy paper wound aroundthe tube 54 so that as the web 102 is unwound therefrom, the tube 54 isrotated therewith with a constant braking force exerted thereon bymember 95.

The cap 58 also includes a pair of mounting lugs 104 similar to lugs 64on end wall 60 which are aligned with lugs 64. Mounting brackets 105 areprovided on the inside of each support plate 25 of side frames 24.Brackets 105 as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 are provided with upwardlyoriented channels 106 which are horizontally aligned across space 31 atthe upper rear portion thereof. The lugs 64 and 104 are slidablyreceived in channels 106 with the downward movement being arrested byabuttments 108. This locates the paper exit slot 61 in an upwardrearwardly extending position as seen in FIG. 2.

While various materials may be used for making the main cylinder 56 andend cap 58 one satisfactory material is a medium impact polystyrene.This material is injection molded and has sufficient strength andelasticity to be assembled without being damaged, but insufficientstrength and elasticity to be disassembled without fracture at thethinned portions 72 of side wall 59.

IMAGE FORMING MEANS

The image forming means 14 is mounted between the side frames 24 inspace 31 as best seen in FIG. 4 and includes a light source assembly110, a projection unit 111, a fixed mirror assembly 112, a movablemirror-shutter assembly 114, a charging unit 115 with a charging station116, an exposure station 118, a developing unit 119 with a developingstation 120, and a fan-pump assembly 121.

The light source assembly 110 is mounted in space 31 below the cutouts44 in side frames 24 and is best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13. The assembly110 includes an open top carriage box 125 having side walls 126, endwalls 128 and a bottom wall 129. Mounting tabs 130 are provided on sidewalls 126 which project out over end walls 128 to engage notches 131 inthe lower edge of each of the cutouts 44 to suspend the box 125therebetween as seen in FIG. 4. An air inlet opening 132 is providedthrough one end wall 128 with an air directing vane 134 along one edgeof opening 132 and projecting into the interior of box 125 as seen inFIG. 13. An exhaust opening 135 is defined through the front side wall126 across the lower portion thereof and a downwardly inclined vane 136is provided along the upper edge thereof and projects forwardly of box125 to deflect the air flow exhausting from the box 125 downwardly aswill be explained.

A light source undercarriage 140 is mounted on the bottom wall 128 ofbox 125 in the interior thereof. A lamp 141 is mounted between a pair ofupstanding flanges 142 of undercarriage 140 in alignment with the airflow through inlet opening 132 as will be explained. A pair of condenserlens 144 are carried between upstanding resilient plates 145 ofundercarriage 140 and, in conjunction with a reflector 146 also heldbetween plates 145, direct the light from lamp 141 from a horizontaldirection into a vertical direction. The lens 144 and reflector 146 areremovably held between plates 145 by a spring 148 connecting the platesas best seen in FIG. 13.

The open top 149 of the box 125 is closed by a cover 150 as seen inFIGS. 12 and 13 which is held in place by catches 151 engaging flanges152 along the upper edges of the side walls 126. A light exit opening154 is provided through cover 150 to allow the light to pass from theassembly 110 after it passes through the condenser lens 144. The lightthus exits the opening 154 along the upwardly directed leg P₁ of thelight path P in the machine as best seen in FIG. 4.

The projection unit 111 as best seen in FIGS. 4, 14, 15 includes asupport platform 160 connected to the back of control panel 45 and flushwith the upper edge of cutouts 44. A centrally located aperture 161 isprovided through platform 160 and is located in vertical alignment withthe opening 154 in the cover 150 of light source assembly 110 so thatthe light through opening 154 passes through the center of aperture 161.A focusing lens assembly 162 is provided at aperture 161 to focus theimage transmitted in the light from assembly 110 as will be explained.The lens assembly 162 includes a lens tube holder 164 adjustably mountedon platform 160 about aperture 161, a lens adjustment tube 165 slidablymounted in the holder 164, and a lens unit 166 slidably and rotatablymounted in the tube 165.

The lens tube holder 164 includes a central cylinder 168 defining acentral passage 167 therethrough with a mounting flange 169 intermediatethe ends of cylinder 168. The centerline CL₁ of cylinder 168 is centeredwith respect to the aperture 161. The flange 169 has three equallyspaced holes 170 therethrough which slidably receive a like number ofthreaded studs 171 therethrough. The studs 171 are carried by platform160 about aperture 161 so as to locate the centerline CL₁ of cylinder168 in alignment with the centerline of aperture 161. A compression coilspring 172 is received around each stud 171 between platform 160 andflange 169 and nuts 174 are threadedly received on studs 171 aboveflange 169. Thus, by tightening or loosening nuts 174, the angularposition of centerline CL₁ can be varied with respect to the centerlineof aperture 161 as will become more apparent. An upwardly opening slot175 is provided in the upper portion of cylinder 168 that faces thefront of the machine as will become apparent.

The lens adjustment tube 165 is slidably received in the central passage167 of the cylinder 168 from the lower end thereof. The tube 165includes a main cylindrical body 176 with a central passage 178. Anabuttment flange 179 extends outwardly from the bottom end of tube 165.The body 176 is slidably received in passage 167 in cylinder 168 and acompression coil spring 180 is received around body 176 between thelower end of cylinder 168 and flange 179 on tube 165 to urge the tube165 downwardly as will become more apparent. A longitudinally extendingslot 181 is provided along the outside of body 176 which co-operateswith a locator 182 inside cylinder 168 of holder 164 to fix therotational position of tube 165 with respect to holder 164 whileallowing tube 165 to slide in holder 164. The lower face 184 of tube 165rests on the carrier assembly 18 as will be explained. A hole 185 isprovided through the body 176 that lies in alignment with the slot 175when the tube 165 is in position as will be explained.

The lens unit 166 is slidably and rotatably received in the upper end ofadjustment tube 165. Unit 166 includes an elongate hollow cylinder 186having an outside diameter just sufficient to be slidably and rotatablyreceived in passage 178 through tube 165. A convex focusing lens 188 ismounted in the lower portion of cylinder 186 to focus the imagetransmitted by the light source assembly 110 as will become moreapparent. A dove prism 189 is mounted in cylinder 186 above lens 188with its longitudinal centerline aligned with the centerline of lens188. The light entry face 190 of prism 189 is located from the lens 188a mean distance c as best seen in FIG. 15. The distance c is such thatthe image from lens 188 just fits within the confines of the face 190.Because it was found that the image does not expand while it passesthrough prism 189, it is only necessary that the entry face 190 and exitface 191 be as large as the image received rather than several timeslarger as was previously thought.

A circumferentially extending groove 192 is provided around the outsideof cylinder 186 which lies behind the hole 185 in tube 165 and slot 175in holder 164 when the unit 166 is in position as will become moreapparent. A toothed gear 194 is also provided around cylinder 186 foruse in rotating the image as is known in the art by rotating thecylinder 186 along with prism 189.

A focusing drive mechanism 195 is provided to allow adjustment of thelens unit 166 from the control panel 45. The mechanism 195 includes adrive shaft 196 with its driving end rotatably carried in the hole 185in adjustment tube 165 and its driven end rotatably carried through anappropriate aperture in the control panel 45. The driving end 198 ofshaft 196 rests against the outside of cylinder 186 and a drive pin 109carried by shaft 196 at the outside edge of end 198 is slidably receivedin groove 192 so that the unit 166 will be raised and lowered as theshaft 196 is rotated to focus the image. A focusing knob 200 is affixedto the driven end of shaft 196 protruding through the control panel 45for the operator to selectively rotate shaft 196. Springs 201 maintainshaft 196 in position. A driving gear 202 rotatably mounted on the backof panel 45, meshes with the gear 194 and protrudes through panel 45 sothat the unit 166 can be rotated by the operator from the front ofcontrol panel 45.

The fixed mirror assembly 112 is mounted in the upper forward portion ofspace 31 on cross brace 23 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. The assembly 112intersects the path P at the upper end of leg P₁ thereof and reflectsthe image from the projection unit 111 downwardly and rearwardly alongthe leg P₂ of path P. Assembly 112 includes a mirror 205 mounted onbacking 206. The backing 206 has three studs 208 thereon which extendfrom the back thereof in spaced apart positions through holes in crossbrace 23. A coil spring 210 is placed around each stud 208 between crossbrace 23 and backing 206 and nuts 211 engage the ends of studs 206protruding through cross brace 23 to locate the reflecting plane of themirror 205. Thus, the mirror can be adjusted through nuts 211 to reflectthe image along the leg P₁ of path P at a desired angle.

The movable mirror-shutter assembly 114 is pivotally mounted centrallywithin space 31 between side frames 24 as seen in FIGS. 4 and 33.Assembly 114 serves to selectively reflect the image as it is directedalong the leg P₂ of path P along the viewing leg P₃ of path P and ontothe viewing screen 49 for viewing or to allow the image to continuealong leg P₂ to the exposure station 118 as seen in the dashed line inFIG. 4 as will become apparent.

The assembly 114 includes a pivot shaft 220 pivotally mounted betweenthe support plates 25 of side frames 24. A pair of spaced apart drivinglinks 221 are attached to opposite ends of shaft 220 between side frames24 and extend forwardly and downwardly therefrom for rotation with shaft220. A reflector assembly 222 is mounted between the projecting ends oflinks 221 at the lower portion thereof. A positioning link 224 ispivoted intermediate its ends to each link 221 intermediate its ends.One of the ends of each of links 224 is pivoted to the upper end ofreflector assembly 222 and the other of the ends of each link 224pivoted to one end of a secondary arm 225. The arms 225 are directedgenerally rearwardly and are pivoted to the side frames 24 on oppositesides of space 31.

The reflector assembly 222 includes a support 226 with a forwardlyfacing bed 228, a downwardly and forwardly facing shutter flange 229along the bottom edge of bed 228, and a pair of rearwardly facing sideangles 230 along opposite side edges of bed 228. A reflector 231 ofknown construction is mounted on the forward surface of bed 228 toreflect the image along the leg P₃ of path P onto the back of theviewing screen 49 when assembly 114 is in viewing position as shown bysolid lines in FIG. 4. Also, sealing strips 232 may be provided alongthe forward edges of the assembly 222 to block the light through screen49 when the assembly 114 is in its print position as shown by dashedlines in FIG. 4. The links 224 are pivoted to angles 230 at their upperend while the driving links are slidably and pivotally connected to thelower ends of angles 230 through slip joints 234.

Viewing abuttments 235 are provided on the support plates 25 of theframes 24 that engage the underside of the ends of positioning links 224adjacent their connection with arms 225 to locate the assembly 114 inthe viewing position. Print abuttments 236 are provided on plates 25 ofthe side frames 24 to engage the top of the projecting ends of drivinglinks 221 and locate the assembly 114 in its printing position.

A driving arm 238 is provided on one end of pivot shaft 220 protrudingthrough the plate 25 and extends generally downward therefrom within thedrive recess 30 in side frame 24 as best seen in FIG. 3. The arm 238 isshown in its viewing position in FIG. 3 in solid lines and in itsprinting position in phantom lines. Thus, as the lower end of arm 238 ispivoted forwardly in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3, thereflector assembly 222 will be moved forwardly and upwardly while itstop is pivoted forwardly to its printing position and, as the arm 238 ispivoted rearwardly or clockwise in FIG. 3, the assembly 222 will bemoved rearwardly and downwardly while its top is pivoted rearwardly toits viewing position. It will also be noted that since the center ofgravity of assembly 222 is always forward of the pivot axis of shaft220, the weight of the assembly 222 urges the assembly 114 toward itsviewing position.

The lower end of arm 238 is received in a guide 239 mounted on theoutside of plate 25 within recess 30 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 35. Aresilient detent 240 is provided at the forward end of guide 239 tomaintain the arm 238 and assembly 222 in their viewing position as willbecome more apparent.

The charging means 115 is positioned at the rear of the space 31 acrossthe path P' of travel of the web 102 of copy paper as it moves fromcassette 51 to the exposure station 118 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Theunit 115 includes a pair of corona units 245 and 246 mounted betweenplates 25 of side frames 24 with an opening 248 therebetween throughwhich the web 102 of copy paper passes to be electrostatically charged.The units 245 and 246 are wire type coronas of known construction aswill become apparent.

The developing unit 119 is positioned in the lower forward portion ofspace 31 and is slidably supported by the base 22 of cabinet 11 as seenin FIG. 4. The unit 119 applies toner particles to the copy paper afterthe electrostatic latent image has been formed to develop the image intoa visual image. Unit 119 includes a liquid toner reservoir 250, a papersubmerging tray 251 which is filled with toner from reservoir 250 andthrough which the exposed copy paper passes to be submerged in theliquid toner for development, and an intensifier plate 252 which guidesthe paper through the toner and enhances the quality of the reproducedimage as is known in the art.

The fan-pump assembly 121 is mounted on the developing unit 119 anddrives the developing unit as well as creates a partial vacuum at theexposure station 118 while supplying cooling air to the light sourceassembly 110 and heated air to the developed copy paper. The assembly121 includes a secondary drive motor 260 mounted on top of reservoir 250with a drive shaft 261 extending both into the reservoir 250 and abovemotor 260. A toner pump 262 of known construction is suspended inreservoir 250 and drivingly connected to that end of shaft 261 extendinginto the reservoir to pump the toner from reservoir 250 into tray 251.Overflow holes 254 are provided in tray 251 to allow the excess toner toflow back into the reservoir 250.

A fan unit 264 is mounted on reservoir 250 over motor 260 andoperatively connected to the upper end of shaft 261. The unit 264 of thecentrifugal fan type with a housing 265 having an inlet 266 and anoutlet 268 as seen in FIG. 16. Both the inlet 266 and outlet 268 facethe central plate 25 of the duct side frame 24 and are in a sealingrelationship therewith when unit 119 is in position as seen in FIG. 4.

An inlet port 270 (FIG. 5) is provided through plate 25 in alignmentwith the inlet 266 of fan unit 264 and an outlet port 271 (FIG. 5) isprovided through plate 25 in alignment with outlet 268 of fan unit 264.

An intake duct 272 (FIG. 5) on the outside of plate 25 within ductrecess 30 connects inlet port 270 to a vacuum port 274 through plate 25at the exposure station 118 as will be explained. An exhaust duct 275(FIG. 5) on the outside of plate 25 in recess 30 connects the outletport 271 to a cooling port 276 through plate 25 at the forward portionthereof. Cooling port 276 is aligned with the opening 132 in the endwall of light source assembly 110 (FIG. 13) so that the cool airexhausted from the fan unit 264 passes over the lamp 141, lens 144, andreflector 146 to cool same while the air is heated. The heated air thenpasses through exhaust opening 135 and is deflected downwardly by vane136 across the exit path P' of the developed copy paper as will becomeapparent to dry same.

CONVEYOR MEANS

The conveyor means 15 includes a guide roll 280, a paper feed rollassembly 281, a vacuum exposure assembly 282, and a squeegee dischargeroll assembly 284 that move the web 102 of copy paper from the cassette51 along the path P' down through the charging station 116, exposurestation 118, developing station 120 and out of the paper exit slot 42 inthe front of the machine 10 as best seen in FIG. 4.

The guide roll 280 is freely rotatably mounted between the upper rearcorners of plates 25 of side frames 24 behind the paper cassette 51. Theweb 102 of copy paper passes over the roll 280 and then downwardly to bedrivingly engaged by the paper feed roll assembly 281. The assembly 281is located above the charging unit 115 at the rear end of the machineand includes a pair of rolls 285 of known construction spring biasedtogether and rotatably mounted between the plates 25 of side frames 24.The rolls 285 are driven as will be explained so as to drive the web 102downwardly through the cutter means 16 as will be explained whileunrolling the web 102 from roll 50 against the braking action of brake55. After the web 102 passes through cutter means 16, it passes throughthe opening 248 between corona units 245 and 246 and then onto theexposure assembly 284.

Assembly 284 includes a support pan 286 mounted between plates 25 ofside frames 24 and extends from a position just below the charging unit115 forwardly and downwardly to a position just rearwardly of the papersubmerging tray 251. Driving rolls 288 are positioned across the upperand lower ends of pan 286 to mount a vacuum exposure belt 289therearound with an upper flight 290 passing over and supported by pan286 and a lower flight 291 passing under pan 286. As the rolls 288 aresynchronously rotated, the upper flight 290 of belt 289 will be moveddownwardly across pan 286.

The pan 286 is hollow with a vacuum chamber 292 therein whichcommunicates with the vacuum port 274 through plate 25 of side frame 24so that a partial vacuum will be drawn in pan 286 when the fan unit 264is operating. The top wall 294 of pan 286 is slotted at 295 to allow airto be drawn therethrough as is known in the art and apertures 296 areprovided through belt 289 in known manner. This causes the partialvacuum to hold the copy paper deposited on belt 289 thereon as the upperflight 290 of belt 289 moves the paper through the exposure station 118so that it is oriented perpendicular to the image path P.

A backup roll 298 is rotatably mounted between side frames 24 in drivingcontact across the upper end of upper flight 290 of belt 289 so as toinsure positive placement of the copy paper on the belt 289. A separatorroll 299 is rotatably mounted between side frames 24 in driving contactwith the lower end of upper flight 290 of belt 289 to insure separationof the exposed copy paper from belt 289 and to drive the paper throughthe submerging tray 251 into contact with squeegee discharge rollassembly 284.

The assembly 284 includes a pair of squeegee rolls 300 of knownconstruction which squeeze the excess toner from the developed copypaper and discharge the paper through slot 42 as the rolls are driven aswill be explained.

CUTTER MEANS

As noted above, the cutter means 16 is positioned across the path P' ofpaper travel between the feed roll assembly 281 and charging unit 115 tocut the web 102 when a prescribed length of the web has been fed by therolls 285 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 17-20. The cutter meansincludes a knife assembly 305 having a stationary blade 306 and a rotaryblade 308. Blade 306 has a rectangular cross section with a forward face309 and a cutting edge 310 at the lower forward corner thereof. Theblade 306 is angled upwardly at its forward end as seen in FIG. 20generally horizontally extending between mounting brackets 311 attachedto the plates 25 of side frames 24. The rotary blade 308 is rotatablymounted in brackets 311 in an operative relationship with stationaryblade 306. The blade 308 is a cylinder with a portion thereof removed toform a cutting edge 312 as is known in the art with circular abuttmentsat opposite ends thereof. The blade 308 is rotatably journalled in slots314 through brackets 311 and a leaf spring 315 is positioned under thestub shafts 316 of knife 308 and held by detents 318 on brackets 311 toconstantly urge the abuttments on blade 308 against the edge 310 onblade 306. Thus, it will be seen that when the cutting edge 312 ofrotary blade 308 is rotated past the cutting edge 310 of stationaryblade 306, the web 102 of paper passing between blades 306 and 308 willbe cut as is known in the art. Guides 319 are carried between brackets311 below blades 306 and 308 to guide the paper into the opening 248between corona units 245 and 246.

A driving arm 350 is affixed to the end of the stub shaft 316 extendingthrough an opening in that plate 25 of drive side frame 24 as seen inFIGS. 17 and 18. The arm 350 is located adjacent the outside of plate 25and within recess 30. The arm 350 is used to rotate the rotary blade 308to cut the web 102 of copy paper. The arm 350 is urged in acounterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 2 and 17 by a torsion spring351 positioned around stub shaft 316 with one held by the plate 25 ofside frame 24 and the other end connected to arm 350 through a slot 352.The projecting end 354 of arm 350 is provided with a camming surface 355on the outside thereof that is used to rotate the arm 350 clockwise aswill be explained. The inside of the end 354 of arm 350 defines a checknotch 356 that opens upwardly for use in holding the arm 350 in a cockedposition as shown in FIG. 18 and described below. The lower portion ofend 354 is beveled to provide a driving surface 358 as will becomeapparent. The counterclockwise movement of arm 350 is limited by abumper 359 as seen in FIG. 17 as will become more apparent.

A latch 360 is pivoted on plate 25 of side frame 24 a prescribeddistance d forwardly of drive arm 350 and co-operates therewith tocontrol the position of arm 350. The latch 360 is urged in a clockwisedirection by a torsion spring 361 as best seen in FIG. 19 which iscarried around the pivot shaft 362 of latch 360 with one of its endsconnected to plate 25 and its other connected to latch 360 through hole364. The projecting end 365 of latch 360 is provided with a cutout 366to provide a check shoulder 368 registerable with notch 356 to maintainthe arm 350 in its cocked position as shown in FIG. 18. The rearwardlyfacing edge 369 of latch 360 provides a camming surface lying in theplane of the projecting end 354 and notch 356 of arm 350 so that as thearm 350 is rotated in a clock wise direction as seen in FIG. 17 andfurther explained below, the beveled surface 358 of arm 350 will engagethe edge 369 of latch 360 and rotate it in a counterclockwise directionsufficiently to allow the shoulder 368 to engage notch 356 in arm 350 tomaintain the arm 350 in its cocked position. The cutout 366 alsoprovides a limiting surface 370 which engages the tip 357 of arm 350 asthe tip 357 passes over shoulder 368 to maintain the shoulder inalignment with notch 356. Thus, when the arm 350 is released to berotated in its counterclockwise direction, the shoulder 368 of latch 360will engage the notch 356 of arm 350 to hold the arm 350 in its cockedposition as shown in FIG. 18.

A striker 371 is provided on the lower forward portion of the projectingend 365 of latch 360 to engage an abuttment 372 as will be explained tolimit the clockwise movement of latch 360 under the influence of spring361 so that when the latch is released, the edge 369 is in alignmentwith the beveled surface 358 of arm 350 so that the arm can be recocked.

For releasing the shoulder 368 from notch 356, a trip 374 is provided onthe upper end of latch 360 and displaced forwardly of the end 365 oflatch 360. When the trip 374 is moved downwardly as will be explained,the latch 360 will be rotated counterclockwise against the force ofspring 361 to release arm 350.

The cutting edge 312 of rotary blade 308 is oriented with respect to arm350 so that when the arm 350 is in its cocked position shown in FIG. 18,the blade 308 is oriented as shown by solid lines in FIG. 20 so thatsufficient clearance is provided between cutting edges 310 and 312 forthe web 102 of copy paper to pass therebetween. When the arm 350 isreleased from its cocked position (FIG. 18) and is moved toward thebumper 359 (FIG. 19), the cutting edge 312 of rotary blade 308 is movedpast the cutting edge 310 of stationary blade 306 as seen by dashedlines in FIG. 20 as the arm 350 is rotated counterclockwise as seen inFIGS. 18 and 19 by spring 351 so that the web 102 will be cut as willbecome more apparent.

DRIVE AND CONTROL MEANS

The drive and control means 19 is mounted in recess 30 of side frame 24on the drive side of the machine as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 21-25. Themeans 19 includes a flexible endless transfer member 375 mounted aboutand engaging a series of sprockets for movement along a prescribed pathP" shown in FIGS. 4 and 21 and lying in a vertical plane PL withinrecess 30 shown in FIG. 22 and spaced a predetermined distance d₁ fromplate 25 of side frame 24 as will become more apparent. A main drivemotor 378 is mounted on plate 25 within space 31 below the upper rearportion of the exposure assembly 284 with its drive shaft 379 protrudingoutwardly through plate 25 into drive recess 30. A main drive sprocket380 is pinned to the end of drive shaft 379 with its teeth lying withinthe plane PL. An upper driven sprocket 381 is pinned to the end of thesupport shaft of the drive roll 288 at the upper rear end of assembly282 with its teeth also lying in plane PL. An idler sprocket 382 isrotatably journalled on the support shaft of the rearmost paper feedroll 285 with its teeth lying within the plane PL so that sprocket 382rotates independently of roll 285 as seen in FIG. 24. A driven sprocket384 is also mounted on the end of the support shaft of roll 285 outboardof sprocket 382 but is pinned thereto so as to cause rolls 285 to rotateas it is rotated. The teeth of sprocket 384 lie in a plane PL₁ outboardof plane PL by a distance d₂ as best seen in FIG. 24. An upper idlersprocket 385 is rotatably mounted on plate 25 forwardly of sprocket 382with its teeth lying in plane PL as seen in FIG. 3. A backup sprocket386 is rotatably mounted on plate 25 through abuttment 372 belowsprocket 385 with its teeth lying in plane PL. A corner sprocket 388 isrotatably mounted on plate 25 below sprocket 386 and adjacent the maindrive sprocket 380 with its teeth lying in plane PL. A backup sprocket389 is rotatably mounted on plate 25 just below the rear edge of thecutout 44 in plate 25 with its teeth in plane PL. A dual backup sprocket390 is rotatably mounted on plate 25 below cutout 44 and just rearwardlyof the discharge roll assembly 284. The lower squeegee roll 300 has itssupport shaft pinned to a driven sprocket 391 with its teeth in planePL. A backup sprocket 392 is rotatably mounted on plate 25 below cutout44 and sprockets 389 and 390 and just forward of the lower front end ofexposure assembly 282. A driven sprocket 394 is pinned to the supportshaft of the lower belt drive roll 288 of assembly 282 with its teethlying in the plane PL. A takeup sprocket 395 is rotatably mounted onplate 25 between the main drive sprocket 380 and the driven sprocket 381with its teeth in plane PL.

The flexible transfer member 375 includes a main drive endless linkchain 396 which passes around the sprockets lying in plane PL. Startingat point A at the main drive sprocket 380, it will be seen that chain396 passes partly around the lower back portion of sprocket 380; thenupwardly around the front of sprocket 395, then upwardly around the backof sprocket 381 and the upper back of sprocket 382; then forwardlyaround the upper front of sprocket 385; then downwardly along the backof sprocket 386 and around the lower back of sprocket 388, thenforwardly and slightly downwardly over the tops of sprockets 389 and390; then around the front of sprocket 391; then rearwardly and upwardlyunder the bottom of sprocket 390 and over the top of sprocket 392; thendownwardly under sprocket 394; and finally upwardly and rearwardly backto point A at main driven sprocket 380.

As the motor 378 rotates its drive shaft 379 in a clockwise direction,the main drive chain 396 will be moved in the direction of the arrows inFIG. 3 thereby rotating the sprockets 381, 382, 385, 386, 388-392, 394and 395. This causes the upper flight 290 of exposure belt 289 to bemoved in the direction indicated in FIG. 4 and the squeegee rolls 300 tobe rotated to drive copy paper out of slot 42.

For driving sprocket 384 and paper feed rolls 285, transfer member 375includes a secondary link chain 398 mounted on and movable with the maindrive chain 396. The secondary chain has a length considerably shorterthan chain 396 as seen in FIG. 21 and is mounted on the outside thereofso that chain 398 moves along a path parallel to the path of the mainchain 296 lying in the plane PL₁ of the teeth of sprocket 384 as seen inFIG. 24. The chain 398 extends between points B and C on main drivechain 396 so that when that portion of main drive chain 396 betweenpoints B and C passes over idler sprocket 382, the secondary chain 398will drivingly engage the sprocket 384 to rotate it and paper feed rolls285 to feed the web 102 of copy paper as will be more fully explained.

A control system 400 is also carried by main drive chain 396 as bestseen in FIGS. 3 and 22 for controlling the electrical operation of themachine, the operation of cutter means 16, and the position of theshutter-mirror assembly 114. System 400 includes a cycle stop cam 401mounted on the back links 402 of chain 396 as seen in FIG. 22 whichextends on the outside of the chain at point D to move along with chain396 on a path P₁ behind the plane PL and parallel thereto. System 400also includes a registration cam 404 mounted on the back links 402 ofchain 396 which extends inside the chain at point E to move along withchain 396 on a path P2 behind the plane PL and parallel thereto.

System 400 further includes a cocking and drive pin 405 mounted on chain396 at point F. It is carried by the back links 402 and extends behindchain 396 to be moved therewith along path p₃ behind and parallel toplane PL. The pin 405 serves both to cock the cutter means 16 and todrive the shutter-mirror assembly 114 from its viewing to printingposition and back again during each printing cycle as will be explained.The pin 405 includes a disk shaped retainer 406 as seen in FIG. 22 whichmaintains contact with the driving arm 238 of the mirror-shutterassembly 114 as will be further explained.

Also included in system 400 is a trip cam 408 mounted on chain 396 atpoint A. Cam 408 is carried by the front links 409 of chain 396 as seenin FIG. 22 and extends outwardly of chain 396 to be moved therewithalong path p₄ parallel to and in front of plane PL. Trip cam 408 engagesthe trip 374 of latch 360 to release the driving arm 350 and allow sameto rotate blade 308 and cut web 102 as will be explained.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that paths p₁₋ p₄ never intersect sothat each of the cams 401, 404 and 408 as well as pin 405 can be used tooperate different components independently of each other.

System 400 further includes a cycle stop switch 410 in tandem with alight switch 411 positioned adjacent chain 396 at point G on side frame24. Switches 410 and 411 have a common actuator arm 412 which overliesonly path p₁ as seen in FIG. 22 so that cam 401 transfers both switch410 and switch 411 when point D on chain 396 reaches point G on sideframe 24. This causes the cycle to stop while at the same time causinglamp 141 to be illuminated as will be further explained. Thus, the chain396 is always stopped at the same position at the completion of eachcycle. A registration switch 414 is mounted adjacent chain 396 at pointH on side frame 24. The actuator arm 415 of switch 414 overlies path p₂as seen in FIG. 22 so that cam 404 on chain 396 transfers arm 415 whenpoint E on chain 396 reaches point H. This energizes the exposure timingcircuit as will be explained.

A drive bracket 420 is provided on the lower portion of driving arm 238of assembly 114 lying behind the chain 396 between sprockets 388 and 389and between sprockets 380 and 394 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 33. Bracket 420includes a pair of upper flanges 421 and 422 facing chain 396 withflange 421 being the front flange and flange 422 being the rear flange.Each of flanges 421 and 422 include an inwardly facing lip 424 as seenin FIG. 34 so that a reduced width slot 425 is provided therebetweenwith a larger width channel 426 behind lips 424 and between flanges 421and 422. The flange 421 is shifted upwardly along arm 238 with respectto flange 422 so that rearwardly facing entrance space 428 is providedabove the upper end of flange 422 and a forwardly facing exit space 429is provided below the lower end of flange 421. Whem arm 238 is pivotedto its rearmost position with the reflector assembly 222 at its viewingposition, the entrance space 428 is aligned with path p₃ of drive pin405 so that as point F on chain 396 moves past arm 238, the pin 405 willpass over flange 422 and into channel 426 to engage the lip 424 offlange 421 to drive the arm 238 forwardly therewith. Because the chain396 is moving forwardly and downwardly carrying pin 405 therewith andbecause the bracket 420 moves along an arcuate path as arm 238 ispivoted, the relative movement between pin 405 and bracket 420 causesthe pin 405 to pass down through slot 425 as arm 238 is driven forwardlyto the print position while the retainer moves down through channel 426.Thus, lips 424 keep the pin 405 in engagement with flanges 421 and 422to insure the pivoting of the arm 238 and reflector assembly 222forwardly to the print position. As arm 238 reaches its print position,its lower end passes detent 240 which holds it in print position. Atthis time, the exit space 429 has become aligned with path p₃ so thatpin 405 can pass out from between flanges 421 and 422 leaving arm 238 inprint position. If the forwardmost position of arm 238 is reached beforeexit space 429 has become fully aligned with path p₃, it will be seen inFIG. 3 that chain 396 can flex downwardly since slot 425 is angled in aforward direction to allow pin 405 to move down slot 425 and out space429. The amount chain 396 is allowed to flex downwardly is controlled bythe position of backup sprocket 389 which is adjustable in known manner.This insures positive positioning of arm 238 forwardly of detent 240.

Bracket 420 also includes a pair of lower flanges 430 and 431 spacedbelow flanges 421 and 422 and facing chain 396 as seen in FIGS. 33 and35. Flange 430 is the front flange and flange 431 is the back flange.Each of flanges 430 and 431 include an inwardly facing lip 432 whichtogether define a slot 434 and channel 435 similar to that of flanges421 and 422. The flange 430 is shifted upwardly along arm 238 withrespect to flange 431 to provide a forwardly opening entrance space 436below flange 430 and a rearwardly opening exit space 438 above flange431. As point F on chain 396 passes rearwardly along the lower flightthereof between sprockets 394 and 380, the pin 405 enters channel 435and passes upwardly along slot 434 to drive the arm 238 rearwardly outof engagement with detent 240 and back to its viewing position where pin405 passes out through exit space 438.

The drive arm 350 of cutter means 16 is also positioned behind chain 396so that the camming surface 355 overlies path p₃ when arm 350 is in itsreleased position as seen in FIG. 17. When point F on chain 396 reachesthe arm 350 in its released position, drive pin 405 engages the cammingsurface 355 and drives arm 350 down and clockwise as seen in FIG. 17.This causes the driving surface 358 on arm 350 to engage edge 369 oflatch 360 and drive latch 360 counterclockwise to allow tip 357 to passover shoulder 368 and engage surface 370 to locate shoulder 368 overnotch 356. Camming surface 355 is dimensioned so that pin 405 releasesit after tip 357 of arm 350 engages limiting surface 370 of latch 360.This leaves the shoulder 368 of latch 360 engaging notch 356 in arm 350to hold arm 350 in its cocked position against spring 351 as seen inFIG. 18.

Trip 374 of latch 360 is located over the path p₄ of trip cam 408 whenlatch 360 is in its latching position holding arm 350 in its cockedposition. When point A on chain 396 passes trip 374, the trip cam 408engages trip 374 driving it downwardly and rotating latch 360counterclockwise. This releases arm 350 to allow spring 351 to drive arm350 upwardly in a counterclockwise direction to cause cutting edge 312of rotary blade 308 to pass in a cutting relationship with cutting edge310 on stationary blade 306 as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 20.

CARRIER ASSEMBLY

The carrier assembly 18 is mounted within cutouts 44 of side frames 24as seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 15 and 25 and is designed to position amicrofiche 440 across the light path P between the light source assembly110 and projection assembly 111 so that the visual image on themicrofiche will be projected on the viewing screen 49 or the copy paperat exposure station 118. Assembly 18 is mounted under platform 160 ofthe projection unit 111 on a transversely extending race 441 attached tothe underside of platform 160. Race 441 includes a pair of spaced apartdepending race flanges 442 extending across space 31 transversely of themachine. A central opening is provided through race 441 in alignmentwith opening 161 in platform 160 to allow the light to passtherethrough.

Assembly 18 includes an undercarriage 444 mounted between race flanges442 for movement back and forth transversely of the machine.Undercarriage 444 includes a central web 445 generally rectangular inshape with upstanding race flanges 446 along the front and rear edgesthereof which cooperate with depending race flanges 442 to movably mountundercarriage 444 on ball bearings 448 between flanges 442 and 446.Thus, undercarriage 444 is easily movable transversely of the machine. Agenerally rectangular opening 449 is provided through web 445 to allowlight to pass therethrough as will become more apparent. The sidewisemovement of undercarriage 444 is limited by stops 450 attached toopposite ends of race 441 as best seen in FIG. 15.

A pair of outwardly facing race flanges 451 depend from opposite sidesof web 445 starting at the back of the web and extending forwardly ofthe front of the web longitudinally of the machine. A pair of pivot cams452 are carried by inwardly turned ledges 454 on flanges 451 in thevicinity of the front of web 445 as will be explained.

A fiche carrier 455 is mounted on undercarriage 444 for lateral movementtherewith and longitudinal movement with respect thereto and to themachine as seen in FIG. 25. Carrier 455 includes a generally rectangularweb 456 having inwardly facing upstanding race flanges 458 whichco-operate with flanges 451 to movably mount carrier 455 onundercarriage 444 through ball bearings 459 between flanges 451 and 458.An opening 460 is provided across the rear portion of web 456selectively alignable with opening 449 in undercarriage 444 to allowlight to pass therethrough. Inwardly extending support lips 461 areprovided around opening 460 as well as upstanding locating tabs 462 alsoas will become apparent.

A camming flange 464 is provided along the rear edge of web 456 whichengages the face 184 of adjustment tube 165 of the projection assembly111 as will become apparent to raise the face 184 onto the carrier 455when the carrier 455 is moved rearwardly in the machine. A handle 465 isprovided across the front edge of web 456 for use in positioning carrier455 and undercarriage 444.

A lower platen 466 is positioned over opening 460 where it is supportedon flanges 461 and located by tabs 462 and side angles 474. The platen466 is generally rectangular sheet of clear glass. An upper platen 468is pivotally positioned over lower platen 466 so that the microfiche 440can be positioned between the two platens. Platen 468 includes agenerally rectangular sheet 469 of clear glass mounted on a pivot rod470 along its rear edge. Rubber treads 471 are mounted on opposite endsof rod 470 which rest on the top of web 456 between an abuttment 472 atthe juncture of flange 464 with web 456 and the rear ends of side angles474 along opposite sides of opening 460. The rod 470 is located on sheet469 so that sheet 469 will be parallel with platen 466 when it overliessame as seen by solid lines in FIG. 15. The pivot cams 452 onundercarriage 444 are provided with rearwardly facing inclined surfaces475 which engage the upper portion of treads 471 to roll the treads 471on the web 456 and rotate the upper platen upwardly in acounterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 15 when the carrier 455 hasbeen pulled to its forwardmost position. This allows the microfiche tobe placed between platens 466 and 468 to load same. As the carrier 455is pushed rearwardly, the cams 452 allow the upper platen to pivot downonto the microfiche. The camming flange 464 also lifts the tube 165 asthe carrier 455 is moved rearwardly so that its face 184 rests on theupper surface of the sheet 469 of the upper platen 466.

A pointer 476 is mounted on control panel 45 and is used with aninterchangable grid 478 carried on web 456 to locate the particularimage on the microfiche 440 to be viewed and/or printed.

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT

The electrical circuit 500 of the invention is best seen in FIG. 26 andis connected to a conventional 110-120 volt A-C volt source. The circuit500 includes a common hot wire 501 and a common ground wire 502 and isoperatively associated with the drive and control means through thecycle stop switch 410, the light switch 411, and the registration switch414 seen in FIGS. 3 and 22. The hot wire 501 includes a fuse 504, asafety switch 505 (FIG. 5), an an on-off switch 506 also shown in FIGS.1 and 26 that connects the various components of the electricalcircuitry to the power source. The safety switch 505 is closed when thecassette cover 40 is in position. The pump motor 260 that operates thefan-pump assembly 121 is connected between the hot wire 501 and groundwire 502 so that when the on-off switch 506 is closed, the pump motorwill be driven to pump the toner in the developing tray 251, create apartial vacuum in pan 289 and to force cooling air over lamp 141 whereit is heated and discharged through the opening 135 in light sourceassembly 110 across the discharge path of the developed copy paper.

The common contact 414_(c) of the registration switch 414 is connectedto hot wire 501. The normally open contact 414₂ of switch 414 isconnected to timer motor TM_(m) of timer TM and to normally closedcontact 411₂ of light switch 411 in parallel with each other. Thenormally closed contact 414₁ of switch 414 is connected to the commoncontact 410_(c) of the cycle stop switch 410. The normally open contactsTM_(c) of timer TM are connected in parallel across the contacts 414_(c)and 414₁ of switch 414. The other side of timer motor TM_(m) isconnected to ground wire 502. The timer TM is conventional andadjustable through knob TM_(k) on panel 45 in FIGS. 1 and 3 to vary itstiming cycle. When the timer TM times out, contacts TM_(c) close untilpower is removed from its motor TM_(m).

The normally open contact 411₁ of light switch 411 is connected tonormally closed contact 410₂ of cycle stop switch 410 through normallyopen, momentary push button print switch 508. The contact 410₂ is alsoconnected to one side of main drive motor 378 with its other sideconnected to ground wire 502. The normally open contact 410₁ isconnected to one side of lamp 141 through wire 507. Wire 507 is alsoconnected to the common contact 411_(c) of light switch 411. The otherside of lamp 141 is connected to ground wire 502.

The corona power supply 509 is also connected to contact 410₂ inparallel with motor 378 so that when power is supplied to motor 378, thepower supply 509 will also be powered. The power supply 509 isconventional with direct current outputs 0₊ and 0₋ which are selectivelyconnected to the corona units 245 and 246 through the charge selectorswitch 510.

The charge selector switch 510 as best seen in FIGS. 27 and 28 serves toselectively reverse the polarity of the electrostatic field imposed onthe copy paper by the corona units 245 and 246. It is known that thepolarity of the charge on the surface of the copy paper to be exposedwill have the same polarity as the polarity of the corona unit facingthat surface of the paper. Reference to FIG. 4 will show that thesurface of the copy paper which is to be exposed is the forwardly facingsurface as its passes between the corona units 245 and 246 and thus willhave a charge thereon of the same polarity as the front corona unit 245.When the unit 245 is connected to the output 0₋, the resultingelectrostatic charge on the exposure surface of the copy paper will benegative and when the corona unit 245 is connected to the output 0₊, theresulting charge on the copy paper will be positive. This feature of theinvention is necessary since some pieces of microfiche 440 have positiveimages thereon, while others have negative images thereon. Switch 510includes a pair of input contacts I₁ and I₂ with contact I₁ beingconnected to the positive output 0₊ of the corona power supply 509 andthe input I₂ being connected to the negative output 0₋ of the coronapower supply 509. The switch 510 also includes a pair of output contacts0₁ and 0₂ which can be selectively connected to either of the inputs I₁or I₂ through an actuator 511.

The contacts I₁, I₂ and 0₁, 0₂ are mounted by a housing 512 that iscylindrical and defining an actuator receiving cavity 514 therein whichreceivs the actuator 511 therein. The input contacts I₁ and I₂ arelocated on housing 512 so that they are diametrically opposed and outputcontacts 0₁ and 0₂ are also located by housing 512 so that they arediametrically opposed but shifted 90° with respect to the input contactsI₁ and I₂. This is best seen in FIGS. 27 and 28. The actuator 511 isrotatably mounted within the chamber 514 and housing 512 on a pivotshaft 515 which is rotatably mounted within housing 512. The shaft 515extends through the control panel 45 of the machine and is equipped witha knob 516 as seen in FIG. 1 forwardly of control panel 45 so that theswitch can be selectively operated. The actuator 511 includes a rotor518 mounted on shaft 515 within the chamber 514 and connected to shaft515 through a drive pin 519. The rotor 518 is cylindrical and defines apair of diametrically opposed outwardly facing slots 520 along the outersurface of the rotor 518 and extending generally parallel to therotational axis of the rotor 518.

A switch contact 521 is carried in each of the slots 520 for selectivelyconnecting contacts I₁ and I₂ with contacts 0₁ and 0₂. Each contact 521includes an inwardly extending protrusion 522 which fits within slot 520to hold contact 521 in place and a pair of contact arms 524 which extendfrom protrusion 522 outwardly along the circumference of rotor 518. Eachof the arms 524 is urged outwardly toward housing 512 by the naturalresiliency in the contact 521 so that the outermost ends 525 of the arms524 will be urged into contact with the contacts I₁, I₂, 0₁ or 0₂. Thearms 524 extend outwardly so that the total length of each contact 521extends for approximately 90° about the periphery of rotor 518 on eithersides of slot 520. The natural resiliency of the protrusion 522 is alsosufficient to maintain each contact within the slot 520. Thus, it willbe seen that when the contact end 525 of the contact member 521 iscontacting the input contact I₁, the opposite end 525 will be contactingeither the output contact 0₁ or 0₂. Likewise when the contact end 525 ofthe other contact member 521 is contacting the input contact I₂, theother end will be contacting either the output contact 0₁ or 0₂.

The output contact 0₁ is connected to the front corona unit 245 whilethe output contact 0₂ is connected to the corona unit 246. Thus, it willbe seen that when the rotor 518 is in the position shown in FIG. 27, theinput contact I₂ will be connected to the output contact 0₁ so that thefront corona unit 245 has a negative charge imposed thereon thuscreating a negative electrostatic charge on the copy paper. When therotor 518 is rotated counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 27, it will beseen that the output contact 0₂ will be connected to the input contactI₂ so that a negative charge will be imposed on the rear corona unit 246and the electrostatic charge on the copy paper will be of a positivepolarity.

A stop 530 on the back of rotor 518 co-operates with an abuttment 531 onhousing 512 to limit the movement of rotor 518 between the position inwhich contact 521 connects the input contact I₁ with output contact 0₁,and the position in which contact 521 connects the input contact I₂ withoutput 0₂. Thus, the proper contact is insured.

This particular switch arrangement allows both positive and negativeimage microfiche to be copied without the necessity of changing thetoner used to always produce a positive image on the copy.

OPERATION

In operation, it will be seen that the operator turns the machine "on"by closing the on-off switch 506. The microfiche 440 is placed in themachine by the operator pulling the fiche carrier 455 forwardly withhandle 465 so that the upper platen 468 is pivoted upwardly by the cams452 to open the platens 466 and 468. The microfiche 440 is then placedonto the lower platen 466 and the fiche carrier 455 pushed into themachine to close the upper platen 468 onto the lower platen 466 with themicrofiche 440 therebetween. Because the cycle stop cam 401 is in theposition seen in FIG. 3, the switches 410 and 411 are both transferredso that the normally open contacts 410₁ are closed and the normally opencontacts 411₁ are closed. Thus, when the on-off switch 506 was closed toturn the machine "on", the lamp 141 is illuminated through the normallyclosed contact 414₁ of registration switch 414, the closed contact 410₁of the cycle stop switch 410 and ground wire 502 so that the lightdirected through the microfiche and the image is projected onto theviewing screen 49.

To locate the correct portion of the microfiche 440 to be projected ontoscreen 49, the operator then moves the carrier 455 into or out of themachine and laterally of the machine so as to align the pointer 476 overthe desired seciion of the grid 478. This generally locates theindicated portion of the visual image on the microfiche in alignmentwith the light path P from lamp 141 so that the visual image will beprojected on the viewing screen as it passes upwardly to the fixedmirror assembly 112 along the portion P₁ where it is reflecteddownwardly and rearwardly along the portion P₂ of the path P and thenreflected forwardly onto the screen 49 by the reflector assembly 222which is now in its viewing position. The operator then focuses theimage on the viewing screen 49 by turning the focusing knob 200 tofocusing drive mechanism 195 which selectively moves the lens unit 166.The operator may then rotate the driving gear 202 to selectively rotatethe lens unit 166 and orient the image properly on the screen. Theoperator manipulates the charge selector switch 510 so that the contacts521 properly connect the power supply 509 with the corona units 245 and246 for a positive image to be formed on the copy paper regardless ofwhether the image on the microfiche is positive or negative.

It will also be noted that when the on-off switch 506 is closed, themotor 260 in the pump-fan assembly 121 is energized and remainsenergized as long as the machine is in its "on" position. This serves tocontinuously pump toner from the reservoir 250 into the paper submergingtray 251 to keep the toner both well mixed and a sufficient supply intray 251 to develop the image on the copy paper. Simultaneously, it alsocauses the fan unit 264 to be continuously driven to create a partialvacuum through the upper flight of exposure belt 289 to hold the copypaper thereon. Also, the relatively cool air exhausting from the fanunit 264 is directed along duct 275 over the lamp 141. This cools thelamp 141 while heating the air. The thusly heated air is then exhaustedfrom light source assembly 110 through opening 135 to dry the developedcopy paper as it passes from the machine.

When the image has been properly focused on and aligned with the screen49, the operator then depresses the momentary print switch 508 which isspring biased toward its open position. This action momentarilyenergizes the main drive motor 378 and the corona power supply 509.Energizing the motor 378 drives the main drive chain 396 so that thestop cam 401 moves out of contact with the actuator arm 412 of switches410 and 411 allowing them to return to their normal position. Thiscauses contacts 410₂ and 411₂ to be closed so that power is maintainedto motor 378 and corona power supply 509 through the normally closedcontact 414₁ of switch 414 and the normally closed contacts 410₂ of theswitch 410. It will also be noted that the lamp 141 is de-energized whenthe switch 410 returns to its normal position to prevent prematureexposure of the copy paper.

When the main drive chain 396 is at its initial position shown in FIG.3, the cutter drive arm 350 is held in its cocked position with latch360 engaging the notch 356 in arm 350. As the chain 396 is moved aroundthe sprockets by the motor 378, the secondary chain 398 drivinglyengages the sprocket 384 to rotate the paper feed rolls 285 together soas to drive the web 102 of copy paper downwardly between the stationaryblade 306 and the rotary blade 308 of the cutter means 16. This alsodrives the web 102 downwardly through the opening 248 between the coronaunits 245 and 246 so that the electrostatic charge is imposed thereon asthe paper is fed downwardly. The leading edge of the paper engages theupper flight 290 of the exposure belt 289 as it moves downwardly andmoves along with the upper flight 290 under the roll 298 so that the web102 is held onto the upper flight 290 of the exposure belt 289. Thepartial vacuum exerted through the belt 290 by the fan-pump assembly 121holds the web 102 onto the exposure belt. As the chain 396 continues tomove, the secondary chain 398 clears the sprockets 384 so that the paperfeed rolls 285 cease to rotate. At the instant the secondary chain 398releases the sprocket 384, the trip cam 408 on chain 396 engages thetrip 371 of latch 360 to pivot the latch 360 forwardly and cause thedriving arm 350 to be released. This allows the spring 351 to pivot thedriving arm 350 upwardly and rotate the blade 308 so that the web 102 iscut by the cutting edges 310 and 312. This cuts a sheet of copy paper ofa prescribed length from the web 102 and allows it to pass down onto theupper flight 290 of the belt 289.

While the copy paper is being fed onto the upper flight of belt 289, thedrive pin 405 on chain 396 has moved into engagement with the upperflanges 421 and 422 of bracket 420 to shift the driving arm 238 of theassembly 114 forwardly with chain 396. This transfers the shutter-mirrorassembly 114 from its rearmost viewing position to its forwardmostprinting position so that the reflector assembly 222 now covers the backside of the viewing screen 49 to block any light from entering the space31 through screen 49. The pin 405 leaves the arm 238 in its forwardmostprinting position and continues to move with the chain 396.

When the copy paper on the upper flight 290 of the exposure belt 289reaches an exposure position so that the projected image from themicrofiche 440 will be positioned within the confines of the sheet ofcopy paper, the registration cam 404 engages the actuating arm 415 ofthe registration switch 414 and transfer same. This causes the normallyopen contact 414₂ of switch 414 to be closed to disconnect the maindrive motor 378 and the corona power supply 509 from the power sourceand to connect the timer motor TM_(m) of timer TM to the power source.At the same time, the closure of contact 414₂ also connects the lamp 141to the power source through the normally closed contacts 411₂ of thelight switch 411. This projects the image from the microfiche 440 ontothe electrostatically charged sheet of copy paper on the upper flight290 of the exposure belt 289 since the projected image now passes behindthe reflector assembly 222 and onto the upper charged surface of thecopy paper. It will also be noted that because it may be necessary tovary the exposure time during which the charged copy paper is exposed,the timer TM is of the variable type with a knob TM_(k) on the controlpanel 45 for selectively controlling same.

After a prescribed period of time which is determined by the setting ofthe knob TM_(k), the timer motor TM_(m) times out and the normally opencontact TM₂ is closed so that the main drive motor 378 is againenergized through the normally closed contacts 410₂ of the cycle stopswitch 410 while at the same time powering the corona power supply 509.This moves the chain 396 so that the registration cam 404 is moved outof engagement with the registration switch 414 to allow the switch toreturn to its normal position. Thus, it will be seen that during theexposure of the copy paper on the exposure belt 289, the chain 396 isnot moving and the exposure belt 289 is held in a stationary positionwith the copy paper in registration with the projected image from themicrofiche. Also, since the timer TM times out, the lamp 141 isde-energized so as to prevent over exposure of the copy paper.

As the chain 396 continues to move, the exposure belt 289 is again movedto cause the exposed copy paper to be fed through the toner in the tray251 of the developing unit 119 and into engagement with the squeegeerolls 300 of the discharge roll assembly 284 to develop the latent imageon the copy paper. It will also be noted that the drive chain 396 isrotating the rolls 300 together so as to force the copy paper out of themachine through the discharge slot 42 and cover 41. The squeegee rolls300 are of such construction that the excess toner will be squeezed fromthe developed copy. Also, the heated air discharged from the box 125 ofthe light source assembly 110 is directed onto the paper to heat and drysame. When the developed copy has been discharged, the chain 396 hasagain reached the position shown in FIG. 3 where the stop cam 401 againengages the actuator arm 412 of the switches 410 and 411 to transferthem back to their initial position. This completes the cycle of themachine.

While the chain 396 is moving the copy through the developing unit 119and out between the rolls 300, the drive pin 405 engages the lowerflanges 430 and 431 on the driving arm 238 and moves the reflectorassembly 222 back to its viewing position. Also, the pin 405 has movedpast the drive arm 350 of the knife assembly 305 to move the arm 350down to its cocked position as seen in FIG. 3 ready for the nextprinting operation.

MICROFILM CONVERSION

For using the machine 10 with roll type microfilm, a microfilmconversion unit 600 is provided as seen in FIG. 29. The conversion unit600 replaces the paper exit cover 41 of the machine cover 21, the lightsource assembly 110 and the focusing lens assembly 162 of the projectionunit 111. The above enumerated units are removed from the machine priorto the installation of the conversion unit 600. Also, the carrierassembly 18 is removed prior to the mounting of the conversion unit 600.

It will be seen that the conversion unit 600 conforms in externalappearance generally to the configuration of the paper exit cover 41 andis provided with a paper exit slot 602 corresponding to the paper exitslot 42 in the cover 41. The upper rear edge of the unit 600 is providedwith an upstanding bracket 601 adapted to conform with and engage thefront race flange 442 of the race 441 mounted in the slot 44 of themachine frame 20. The lower edges of the conversion unit 600 are adaptedto sit within the bottom channel 32 on opposite sides of the machineframe 20 similarly to the paper exit cover 41. Thus, it will be seenthat the conversion unit 600 is mounted on the machine by placing theupstanding mounting bracket 602 behind the race 442 and placing thelower outside edges of the unit 600 within the botton channels 32. Theunit 600 defines a substantially horizontally oriented working surface604 on which the microfilm drive mechanism 605 is mounted.

The microfilm drive mechanism is of the reversing and variable speedtype as is conventional in the microfilm reader-printer art with take-upand play-out reels 606 and 608 between which the rolls of microfilm 609is mounted. An appropriate control 610 is provided which allows thedirection of movement of the microfilm between the reels 606 and 608 tobe selectively changed as well as the rate at which the transfer istaking place to be changed. The microfilm 609 passes through a guideassembly (not shown) as is known in the art for selectively positioningthe roll of microfilm 609 for projection of the visual image thereononto the screen 49 of the machine.

A light source assembly 620 is mounted forwardly of the film guide ofthe machine and has a construction similar to the construction of thelight source assembly 110. A duct 621 is associated to the light sourceassembly 620 to connect the cooling air from the duct 235 into the lightsource assembly 620 to cool same. The heated air exiting from the lightsource assembly 620 may be directed downwardly onto the developed copypaper to dry same in a manner similar to that previously disclosed forthe light source assembly 110.

A projection assembly 630 is mounted behind the film guide for focusingand orienting the projected image from the roll of microfilm similarlyto the projection unit 111. An appropriate prism 631 is provided behindand aligned with both the projection unit 630 and the aperture 161 inthe platform 160 in the machine so that the projected image is deflectedfrom a rearwardly oriented path upwardly through the aperture 161 alongthe path P as set forth previously. Thus, because the paper exit cover41, the light source assembly 110, the lens assembly 162 and thecarriage assembly 18 can be easily removed from the machine 10 and theconversion unit 600 substituted therefor, the machine 10 can be easilyconverted from a machine for reading and printing microfiche to amachine for reading and printed roll microfilm.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT OF TIME DELAY MEANS

Referring now to FIGS. 30 and 31, an alternate form of the exposure timedelay means for the machine is illustrated. The time delay means 700 ismechanical rather than electrical as disclosed in the first embodimentof the invention. The means 700 includes the main drive chain 396 whichpasses around the sprockets as enumerated in the first embodiment of theinvention. It will be noted, however, that the sprockets 381 and 394over which the endless chain 396 passes are idler sprockets rotatablymounted on the support shafts of the upper and lower belt drive rolls288 of the assembly 282 so as to be moved independently of the rolls288. Mounted outboard of and immediately adjacent the lower sprocket 394is a drive sprocket 701 which is pinned to the support shaft of thelower belt drive roll 288 for rotating same. Transfer sprockets 702 arepinned to the support shafts of the upper and lower belt drive rolls 288behind sprocket 381 and 394 and a transfer chain 704 connects thesesprockets so that when the lower drive roll 288 is rotated, the upperdrive roll 288 will be correspondingly rotated.

Mounted on the main drive 396 on the outside thereof is a conveyor beltdrive chain 705 which has a finite length slightly shorter than thelength of the main drive chain 396 as seen in FIG. 31. The chaim 705 ismounted on the chain 396 in such a manner that they move as a singleunit. The chain 705 is positioned on the chain 396 so as to leave aspace 706 between the ends thereof at point Y on the main drive chain396. The space 706 has a length x such that when point Y on the maindrive chain reaches the position corresponding to that position at whichpoint E on the original drive chain 396 reaches the registration switch414, the chain 705 will disengage the drive sprocket 701 mounted on thesupport shaft of the lower belt drive roll 288 to stop the movement ofthe conveyor belt 289 for exposure. The space 706 is selected so thatthe conveyor belt 289 will be stopped for an average exposure time forthe copy paper on the upper flight of the belt 289. An appropriatecontrol (not shown) may be provided which is connected to the lamp 141to vary the intensity of the light from lamp 141 to provide a fineadjustment for the correct exposure of the copy paper. Thus, the belt289 will be stopped for a prescribed period of time and will then bere-engaged by the chain 705 to continue the movement of the copy paperthrough the machine.

The secondary link chain 398 is mounted outboard of the chain 705 andthe drive sprocket 384 which is engaged by the chain 398 isappropriately moved on the support shaft of the paper feed roll toaccommodate this change in the flexible transfer member 375.

It is also understood that the original time delay means embodied in thetimer TM may be changed so that the time delay is constant and the lightintensity may be varied to obtain the proper exposure of the copy paperon the exposure belt 289.

We claim:
 1. A cassette for holding a roll of flexible materialcomprising:a tubular member having the roll of material woundtherearound; a housing defining a chamber therein and including mountingmeans for rotatably mounting said tubular member with said roll ofmaterial thereon within said chamber, said housing further defining anopening therethrough for discharge of a layer of material from said rollof material therethrough; said mounting means including an annularflange adapted to fit within said tubular member for rotatablysupporting same, said annular flange defining a plurality of cutoutstherethrough positioned within said tubular member; and, braking meansincluding a resilient member comprising an arcuate central bearingportion having opposite ends and a pair of side bearing portionsresiliently connected to the opposite ends of said central bearingportion, said central bearing portion and each of said side bearingportions extending through and urged outwardly through said cutouts bythe resiliency of said member to engage said tubular member for exertingforces on said tubular member resisting rotation of said tubular member.2. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a plurality ofcomponents and locking means for selectively connecting said componentsto form said housing, said locking means being destroyed upondisassembly of said components.
 3. The cassette of claim 2 wherein saidcomponents include a main cylinder and an end cap, said main cylindercomprising a tubular side wall defining said opening along the lengththereof and an end wall closing one end of said tubular side wall, andsaid end cap being adapted to selectively close the opposite end of saidside wall; and wherein said locking means includes a plurality of lockson said opposite end of said tubular side wall and a plurality ofretainers on said end cap, said locks and retainers co-operating toselectively connect said end cap to said side wall upon assembly of saidend cap and said main cylinder and designed to be destroyed upondisassembly of said end cap and said main cylinder.
 4. The cassette ofclaim 3 wherein each of said locks has a trailing end, and defines anoutwardly tapering surface toward the trailing end thereof and a lockingsurface at the trailing end thereof; and wherein each of said retainersdefines an inwardly tapered surface toward the trailing end thereof anda retaining surface at the trailing end thereof, said tapering surfacesof said locks and said retainers adapted to engage each other anddeflect said locks and retainers with respect to each other as said endcap and said opposite end of said side wall are moved toward each otherto allow said locks and said retainers to pass by each other and saidlocking and trailing surfaces to engage each other, said locking andengaging surfaces arranged to cause said locks and retainers to bedestroyed if said end cap and main cylinder are forced apart.
 5. Thecassette of claim 1 wherein said central bearing portion and each ofsaid side bearing portions of said resilient member have a convexarcuate shape; wherein each of said side bearing portions has oppositeends; and wherein said resilient member further includes a pair ofcamming portions having a concave arcuate shape integrally connectingthe opposite ends of said central portion to one of the ends of saidside bearing portions, and a pair of camming prongs connected to theends of said side bearing portions opposite said camming portions, saidcamming prongs being unconnected so that said side bearing portions maybe forced toward each other.
 6. A cassette for holding a roll offlexible material comprising:a tubular member having the roll ofmaterial wound therearound; and, a housing defining a chamber therein inwhich said tubular member with said roll of material thereon isrotatably mounted, said housing comprising:a main cylinder having alongitudinal centerline comprising a resilient tubular side wall havingopposed ends, opposed sides, a prescribed first mean diameter and afirst prescribed thickness; concentric about said centerline; and, anend wall generally normal to said centerline closing one end of saidside wall, the opposed open end of said side wall opposite said end walloriented generally normal to said centerline, said side wall including aplurality of locks thereon circumferentially spaced about said side walladjacent said opposed end and projecting outwardly from one side of saidside wall, each of said locks having a leading end and a trailing end,and defining a leading tapering surface angled outwardly from one sideof said side wall from the leading end of said lock toward the trailingend of said lock and a trailing locking surface at the trailing end ofsaid lock oriented generally normal to said centerline, each of saidlocking surfaces located a first prescribed distance from said opposedopen end of said side wall, said side wall further defining an undercutin that side of said side wall opposite each of said locks to form athinned portion in said side wall directly aligned with each of saidlocks; an end cap having a central axis adapted to selectively closesaid opposed open end of said side wall of said main cylinder, said endcap including a circular central plate; an annular abuttment carried bythe circumference of said central plate, said annular abuttment definingan annular groove therein concentric about said central axis, saidgroove having a second prescribed mean diameter substantially equal tosaid first mean diameter, a bottom, and a width sufficiently wide toslidably receive said opposed open end of said side wall therein; asupport lip integral with said abuttment, said support lip having a sidesurface forming a continuation of one side of said groove and overlyingsaid locks adjacent said opposed open end of said side wall when saidopposed open end of said side wall is slidably received in said groove;and a plurality of retainers on said side surface of said support lipcorresponding in number and location to said locks on said side wall andin opposition thereto, each of said retainers having a leading end and atrailing end and defining a leading deflection tapering surface angledoutwardly from said side surface of said support lip from the leadingend to the trailing end of said retainer and a trailing retainingsurface at the trailing end of said retainer oriented generally normalto said central axis, said retaining surface located said firstprescribed distance from the bottom of said groove so that when saidopposed open end of said side wall is slidably received in said groovesaid retaining surface of each of said retainers engages said lockingsurface of one of said locks to maintain said opposed open end of saidside wall within said groove; and, locating means for maintainingalignment between said locks and retainers so that said leading surfaceon each of said locks engages said leading deflecting surface on one ofsaid retainers to cause said locks to be deflected inwardly sufficientlyto allow said locks to pass said retainers as said opposed open end ofsaid side wall is forced into said groove in said end cap with saidcenterline of said main cylinder coaxial with said central axis of saidend cap by flexing said side wall at said undercuts, said undercutsweakening said side wall sufficiently to cause said side wall tofracture at said undercuts wnen said opposed open end of said side wallis forced out of said groove to urge said retaining surfaces againstsaid locking surfaces.
 7. The cassette of claim 6 further comprisingmounting means for rotatably mounting said tubular member, said mountingmeans including an annular flange adapted to fit within said tubularmember for rotatably supporting same, said annular flange defining aplurality of cutouts therethrough positioned within said tubular member,and braking means including a resilient member comprising a centralbearing portion having opposite ends and a pair of side bearing portionsresiliently connected to opposite ends of said central bearing portion,said central bearing portion and each of said side bearing portionsresiliently extending through said cutouts to engage said tubular memberfor exerting forces on said tubular member resisting rotation of saidtubular member.